What are the exam tips for The King’s ‘Great Matter’; Henry VIII, his religious… in History AQA A-Level?

Link Henry's religious beliefs directly to his concern over the succession to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of his motivations. Contrast Wolsey's traditional diplomatic approach with the radical legislative solutions eventually proposed by Anne Boleyn's supporters. Use the Sack of Rome (1527) as a pivotal turning point to explain why the Papacy could not grant Henry's request for an annulment.

AQA · A-Level · History

Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017

The King’s ‘Great Matter’; Henry VIII, his religious beliefs and concern…

Q: What mistakes do students make with The King’s ‘Great Matter’; Henry VIII, his religious…?

Claiming Henry wanted a divorce. He actually sought an annulment, arguing the marriage was never valid in the eyes of God. Stating Wolsey was tasked with securing a papal dispensation. The dispensation from Julius II already existed; Wolsey's role was to secure a papal annulment or declaration of nullity. Overlooking Catherine's national supporters; students often focus solely on Charles V, ignoring English sympathisers like Bishop John Fisher and Thomas More.

Full specification wording

2D Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529– c1570 – The break from Rome, c1529–1536: The King’s ‘Great Matter’; Henry VIII, his religious beliefs and concern over the succession; the position and roles of Catherine of Aragon and her national and international supporters; the roles of Wolsey, Anne Boleyn and her supporters

Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on 27 September 2026.

Point 1 of 4

Study notes

From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

The idea

What earns the marks

Explain Henry VIII's dual motivations for the 'Great Matter': dynastic concern over the succession and religious beliefs based on Leviticus 20:21.
Evaluate the position and roles of Catherine of Aragon and her supporters, noting her appeal to Rome and the crucial international backing of Charles V.
Assess the role of Wolsey and his diplomatic strategies, such as the Blackfriars court, and how his inability to secure a papal annulment led to his downfall.
Analyse the roles of Anne Boleyn and her supporters in introducing Henry to reformist ideas to justify bypassing papal authority.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

Claiming Henry wanted a divorce.
Put it right: He actually sought an annulment, arguing the marriage was never valid in the eyes of God.
Stating Wolsey was tasked with securing a papal dispensation.
Put it right: The dispensation from Julius II already existed; Wolsey's role was to secure a papal annulment or declaration of nullity.
Overlooking Catherine's national supporters; students often focus solely on Charles V, ignoring English sympathisers like Bishop John Fisher and Thomas More.

Exam tips

Link Henry's religious beliefs directly to his concern over the succession to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of his motivations.
Contrast Wolsey's traditional diplomatic approach with the radical legislative solutions eventually proposed by Anne Boleyn's supporters.
Use the Sack of Rome (1527) as a pivotal turning point to explain why the Papacy could not grant Henry's request for an annulment.

Try the lesson

The start of the 2D Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529– c1570 – The break from Rome, c1529–1536: The King’s ‘Great Matter’; Henry VIII, his religious beliefs and concern over the succession; the position and roles of Catherine of Aragon and her national and international supporters; the roles of Wolsey, Anne Boleyn and her supporters lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

Have a go first

Which of the following best describes Henry VIII's primary religious justification for seeking an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon?

Tip: press 1 to 4 to choose

Listen

Henry VIII’s ‘Great Matter’—his quest to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon—was driven by his concern over the succession, compounded by his religious beliefs that his lack of sons was divine punishment. Catherine fiercely defended her position, leveraging her international supporter, Emperor Charles V, whose control over Pope Clement VII thwarted the annulment. Domestically, Catherine garnered support from figures like Bishop Fisher. Thomas Wolsey, tasked with securing a papal annulment, failed due to this international pressure and fell from power. Meanwhile, Anne Boleyn and her reformist supporters exploited Wolsey's failure, pushing Henry towards a radical break with Rome to achieve the annulment. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain Henry VIII's dual motivations for the 'Great Matter': dynastic concern over the succession and religious beliefs based on Leviticus 20:21. Evaluate the position and roles of Catherine of Aragon and her supporters, noting her appeal to Rome and the crucial international backing of Charles V. Assess the role of Wolsey and his diplomatic strategies, such as the Blackfriars court, and how his inability to secure a papal annulment led to his downfall. Analyse the roles of Anne Boleyn and her supporters in introducing Henry to reformist ideas to justify bypassing papal authority. A common slip: Stating Wolsey was tasked with securing a papal dispensation. Instead, The dispensation from Julius II already existed; Wolsey's role was to secure a papal annulment or declaration of nullity. Exam tip: Link Henry's religious beliefs directly to his concern over the succession to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of his motivations.

See it

A flowchart beginning with Henry VIII's 'Great Matter', which branches into three: concern over the succession, Henry's religious beliefs, and Wolsey being tasked with securing a papal annulment. The Wolsey branch leads to Wolsey's failure and fall from power, which leads to Anne Boleyn and her reformist supporters pushing for a break with Rome. Separately, Catherine of Aragon defending her position branches into two: her international supporter Charles V, and national supporters such as Bishop Fisher. The Charles V branch leads to pressure on Pope Clement VII thwarting the annulment, which feeds into Wolsey's failure and fall from power. — Shows how Henry's motivations, Catherine's national and international support, and Wolsey's failure led to his fall and the push for a break with Rome.

Label the diagram

Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A flowchart beginning with Henry VIII's 'Great Matter', which branches into three: concern over the succession, Henry's religious beliefs, and Wolsey being tasked with securing a papal annulment. The Wolsey branch leads to Wolsey's failure and fall from power, which leads to Anne Boleyn and her reformist supporters pushing for a break with Rome. Separately, Catherine of Aragon defending her position branches into two: her international supporter Charles V, and national supporters such as Bishop Fisher. The Charles V branch leads to pressure on Pope Clement VII thwarting the annulment, which feeds into Wolsey's failure and fall from power.

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